Intel Xeon E3-1270 v5 vs Intel Xeon E3-1585 v5 Comparison

# Intel Xeon E3-1585 v5 vs Intel Xeon E3-1270 v5

The Intel Xeon E3-1585 v5 and Intel Xeon E3-1270 v5 are both 14 nm Skylake-based server/workstation processors with 4 cores and 8 threads, but the data shows a clear, if narrow, performance edge for the E3-1585 v5 across every Cinebench workload tested. The E3-1585 v5 wins all six head-to-head benchmark comparisons, though the margins are consistently small, ranging from 0.9% to 1%. The E3-1270 v5 counters with a higher base clock (3.60 GHz vs 3.50 GHz), a higher boost clock (4.00 GHz vs 3.90 GHz), a lower launch MSRP ($339 vs $556), and a conventional Socket 1151 platform, while the E3-1585 v5 brings integrated Iris Pro Graphics P580, a larger die, and more transistors.

FAQ

Q: Which processor wins in multi-core performance?

A: The Intel Xeon E3-1585 v5 wins all three multi-core Cinebench tests. It scores 720 vs 713 in R15 multi-core (1% ahead), 3001 vs 2974 in R20 multi-core (0.9% ahead), and 7146 vs 7082 in R23 multi-core (0.9% ahead).

Q: Is there a difference in single-core performance?

A: Yes, but it is minimal. The E3-1585 v5 leads in every single-core test: 101 vs 100 in R15 (1%), 423 vs 419 in R20 (1%), and 1008 vs 999 in R23 (0.9%).

Q: Do both processors support ECC memory?

A: Yes, both the Intel Xeon E3-1585 v5 and the Intel Xeon E3-1270 v5 support ECC memory. Both also support DDR3 and DDR4 memory in a dual-channel configuration with 34.1 GB/s memory bandwidth.

Q: What is the key difference in integrated graphics?

A: The Intel Xeon E3-1585 v5 includes Iris Pro Graphics P580, while the Intel Xeon E3-1270 v5 has no integrated graphics at all. This is a major platform-level distinction for systems that need a display output without a discrete GPU.

Q: How do these processors compare to their nearest rivals?

A: The E3-1585 v5 has an average benchmark score of 2067, placing it 0.4% above the AMD Ryzen 5 3400G (2059) and 0.4% above the Intel Core i3-10105T (2058). The E3-1270 v5 averages 2048, which matches the Intel Core i7-7820HK (2048) and sits 0.1% above the AMD Ryzen 5 7520U (2046).

Q: Which processor has a higher TDP?

A: The Intel Xeon E3-1270 v5 has a TDP of 80 W, while the Intel Xeon E3-1585 v5 has a TDP of 65 W. Despite the lower TDP, the E3-1585 v5 still delivers higher benchmark scores.

Architecture Differences

Both processors share the same Skylake architecture and 14 nm process node from Intel, but they diverge significantly in their physical design and platform integration. The Intel Xeon E3-1585 v5 uses the Skylake-H codename and is built for the Intel BGA 1440 socket, which indicates a ball-grid array package designed for soldered, compact deployments. The Intel Xeon E3-1270 v5 uses the Skylake-DT codename and fits the Intel Socket 1151, a land-grid array socket that allows for standard socketed installation and replacement.

The die and transistor counts reveal a substantial difference in silicon complexity. The E3-1585 v5 packs 2,300 million transistors on a 171 mm² die, whereas the E3-1270 v5 contains 1,750 million transistors on a 122 mm² die. This difference is largely attributable to the integrated graphics: the E3-1585 v5 includes Iris Pro Graphics P580, while the E3-1270 v5 has no integrated graphics unit. The extra silicon in the E3-1585 v5 also explains its lower TDP of 65 W compared to the E3-1270 v5's 80 W, as the larger die allows for different power distribution characteristics.

Both processors share identical cache hierarchies: 64 KB of L1 cache per core, 256 KB of L2 cache per core, and 8 MB of shared L3 cache. Memory support is also identical, with both supporting DDR3 and DDR4 in a dual-channel configuration, delivering 34.1 GB/s of memory bandwidth. PCIe connectivity is the same as well, with Gen 3 and 16 lanes from the CPU. The release dates differ slightly, with the E3-1270 v5 launching on 2015-10-18 and the E3-1585 v5 launching on 2016-05-30, and both are now end-of-life products.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The head-to-head benchmark data shows a clean sweep for the Intel Xeon E3-1585 v5, but the margins are tight enough that real-world differences would be difficult to perceive outside of synthetic workloads. In Cinebench R15 multi-core, the E3-1585 v5 scores 720 against the E3-1270 v5's 713, a 1% advantage. The single-core R15 result follows the same pattern: 101 vs 100, again a 1% edge.

Moving to Cinebench R20, the E3-1585 v5 maintains its lead with a multi-core score of 3001 versus 2974, a 0.9% delta. In single-core R20, the scores are 423 and 419, respectively, a 1% difference. The Cinebench R23 results are consistent with the earlier tests: the E3-1585 v5 posts 7146 in multi-core against 7082 for the E3-1270 v5 (0.9% ahead), and 1008 in single-core against 999 (0.9% ahead).

Notably, the E3-1585 v5 achieves these wins despite having a 100 MHz lower base clock (3.50 GHz vs 3.60 GHz) and a 100 MHz lower boost clock (3.90 GHz vs 4.00 GHz). This suggests that other architectural factors, such as the larger die and different power characteristics, contribute to its slight performance advantage. The data shows no test where the E3-1270 v5 comes out ahead; the wins column reads 6 for the E3-1585 v5 and 0 for the E3-1270 v5.

Specification Differences

The two processors differ in several key specification fields. The base clock is 3.50 GHz for the E3-1585 v5 and 3.60 GHz for the E3-1270 v5. Boost clocks are 3.90 GHz and 4.00 GHz, respectively. The TDP differs by 15 W, with the E3-1585 v5 rated at 65 W and the E3-1270 v5 at 80 W.

The socket is a major differentiator: the E3-1585 v5 uses Intel BGA 1440, while the E3-1270 v5 uses Intel Socket 1151. The codenames also differ, with the E3-1585 v5 designated Skylake-H and the E3-1270 v5 designated Skylake-DT. Transistor count is 2,300 million for the E3-1585 v5 versus 1,750 million for the E3-1270 v5, and die size is 171 mm² versus 122 mm².

Integrated graphics is a binary difference: the E3-1585 v5 features Iris Pro Graphics P580, while the E3-1270 v5 has none. The launch MSRP also differs substantially, with the E3-1585 v5 at $556 and the E3-1270 v5 at $339. Release dates are 2016-05-30 for the E3-1585 v5 and 2015-10-18 for the E3-1270 v5. The part numbers are SR2RB for the E3-1585 v5 and SR2LF for the E3-1270 v5.

Fields that are identical include cores (4), threads (8), process node (14 nm), L1 cache (64 KB per core), L2 cache (256 KB per core), L3 cache (8 MB shared), memory support (DDR3, DDR4), memory bus (dual-channel), memory bandwidth (34.1 GB/s), ECC support (true), PCIe (Gen 3, 16 lanes), market segment (Server/Workstation), production status (end-of-life), and multiplier lock (both locked).

Where Each One Wins

The Intel Xeon E3-1585 v5 wins in every benchmark category measured, making it the clear performance choice in this comparison. Its advantages are most pronounced in single-core workloads, where it consistently holds a 1% lead across R15, R20, and R23 tests. The E3-1585 v5 also delivers these results with a lower TDP of 65 W, which is relevant for thermally constrained systems. The integrated Iris Pro Graphics P580 is a decisive feature for any deployment that requires onboard display output or GPU-accelerated workloads without a discrete card.

The Intel Xeon E3-1270 v5 wins on platform flexibility and cost. Its Socket 1151 form factor allows for standard socketed motherboards, which is a broader ecosystem than the BGA 1440 package of the E3-1585 v5. The higher base and boost clocks (3.60 GHz and 4.00 GHz) provide a nominal clock advantage, even if benchmark results do not translate that into a performance win. The launch MSRP of $339 versus $556 represents a significant cost difference, though the E3-1270 v5's lack of integrated graphics means a separate GPU is required for display output.

For workloads that are purely CPU-bound and rely on the motherboard's existing infrastructure, the E3-1270 v5's lower cost and socketed design may be more attractive. For systems that need integrated graphics, lower power consumption, or the marginally higher benchmark scores, the E3-1585 v5 is the better fit.

The Verdict

The data is unambiguous: the Intel Xeon E3-1585 v5 outperforms the Intel Xeon E3-1270 v5 in every Cinebench test, from R15 multi-core to R23 single-core, with deltas ranging from 0.9% to 1%. The E3-1585 v5 achieves this with a lower TDP (65 W vs 80 W), a larger die (171 mm² vs 122 mm²), more transistors (2,300 million vs 1,750 million), and the inclusion of Iris Pro Graphics P580. The only areas where the E3-1270 v5 takes a lead are clock speeds (3.60 GHz base and 4.00 GHz boost vs 3.50 GHz and 3.90 GHz), launch MSRP ($339 vs $556), and socket compatibility (Socket 1151 vs BGA 1440).

For buyers who prioritize raw benchmark scores, integrated graphics, and power efficiency, the E3-1585 v5 is the superior choice. Its 1% performance lead across all tests, while small, is consistent and comes with a 15 W TDP advantage. For buyers who need a socketed processor with a lower launch price and can supply their own graphics solution, the E3-1270 v5 offers comparable performance at a substantially lower cost. The average benchmark scores of 2067 for the E3-1585 v5 and 2048 for the E3-1270 v5 place both at the 46th percentile of all CPUs, meaning they are statistically equivalent in the broader market context. The selection ultimately comes down to platform requirements and integrated graphics needs, with the E3-1585 v5 winning on features and performance, and the E3-1270 v5 winning on price and socket flexibility.